Russia Pounds Kharkiv in Retaliation: Massive Drone and Missile Barrage Kills 3, Injures Dozens

With unprecedented force Russia Pounds Kharkiv in Retaliation: Massive Drone and Missile Barrage Kills 3, Injures Dozens. Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, faced one of its most intense bombardments since the war began in 2022. In a devastating overnight assault on Saturday, Russian forces unleashed 48 Shahed drones, at least three missiles, and four lethal aerial glide bombs on the city. The result: at least three people killed, 21 injured, and widespread destruction across residential areas.

Kharkiv’s mayor Ihor Terekhov labeled it the “most powerful attack” since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion. Eighteen apartment buildings and thirteen private homes were left in ruins. Fires broke out across districts, emergency teams scrambled to rescue the trapped, and the air hung thick with smoke and fear.

Russia Pounds Kharkiv in Retaliation: Massive Drone and Missile Barrage Kills 3, Injures Dozens

Kyiv and Cities Across Ukraine Targeted in Coordinated Attack

The Kharkiv strike came just a day after Russia carried out one of its most expansive air offensives on Ukraine to date. Kyiv, Chernihiv, Lutsk, Donetsk, Odesa, Dnipropetrovsk, and Ternopil were all hit by missiles, kamikaze drones, and cruise weapons. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched a staggering 407 drones and 45 missiles across the country.

In Kyiv alone, three emergency responders were killed after a second strike hit their location following an initial blast. Two more civilians died in Chernihiv and another in Lutsk. More than 80 people were injured nationwide.

Trump-Putin Phone Call Sparks Outrage and Warnings

Adding to the tension, former U.S. President Donald Trump revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin had spoken to him, warning of retaliation following Ukraine’s audacious drone attacks on Russia’s Engels and Dyagilevo airbases.

The Ukrainian operation destroyed several nuclear-capable strategic bombers, a major blow to the Kremlin’s military posture. Trump commented, “They gave Putin a reason to go in and bomb the hell out of them last night,” during a conversation aboard Air Force One.

His suggestion that it might be better to “let Ukraine and Russia fight for a while” before intervening drew criticism globally and a sharp reaction from the Kremlin, who view the war as “an existential issue.”

Ukraine’s Drone Attack on Russian Airbases: A Turning Point

Ukraine’s daring drone strike on Russian airfields deep in Siberia using quadcopter drones hidden in wooden sheds sparked this latest escalation. Ukrainian forces successfully destroyed aircraft at Engels and Dyagilevo, with video and satellite evidence confirming the damage.

Kyiv’s intelligence services called it a “strategic strike on enemy capabilities.” Western analysts say that replacing these bombers could take Russia years, severely denting its strategic deterrence and operational planning.

Kharkiv Suffers While Kyiv Reels from Retaliation

In Kharkiv, Governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed that the city was hit with a blend of drones, missiles, and aerial bombs, striking civilian industrial sites and sparking widespread fires. A mother and her infant son were among the injured, as was a 14-year-old girl.

Firefighters battled through debris, often under threat of additional strikes. Meanwhile, in Kyiv’s Solomianskyi district, a drone slammed into a high-rise apartment, leaving a gaping hole.

In Darnytskyi, another hit set a residential building ablaze. Authorities suspended Kyiv’s metro service and diverted trains due to track damage caused by the bombing.

Civilian Casualties and Infrastructure Damage Mount

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried the Russian attacks as a blatant assault on civilians. He reported that rescue workers were deliberately targeted with repeat strikes, a tactic that has become increasingly common in this war.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned Russia’s actions and stated: “To put an end to Russia’s killing and destruction, more pressure on Moscow is required, as are more steps to strengthen Ukraine.”

The Ukrainian military reported destroying 87 of the 215 aerial weapons launched on Saturday. Dozens more were diverted using electronic warfare systems, or were revealed to be decoy drones.

Peace Talks in Istanbul Fail to Gain Momentum

As fighting intensifies, the hope for peace dims. On Monday, delegations from Russia and Ukraine met in Istanbul for a second round of peace talks. However, the session ended within an hour, with only a vague agreement on working toward a prisoner swap.

The gap between the two sides appears to be widening, not closing. Russia’s demands, including recognition of territorial gains, remain unacceptable to Ukraine, while Kyiv insists on a full withdrawal of Russian forces and reparations.

Global Reactions and Sanctions in Flux

The latest developments have rattled world leaders. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz voiced concern that some U.S. lawmakers do not grasp the severity of Russia’s rearmament. He welcomed Trump’s assurance that the U.S. will not withdraw from NATO, but questioned Washington’s mixed messaging on sanctions.

Trump, for his part, said he has not yet decided whether to support new sanctions on Russia, claiming he would only act “if necessary.”

Conclusion: Escalation or Stalemate?

The last 48 hours have underscored the dangerous spiral of retaliation in the Russia-Ukraine war. As Kyiv steps up its attacks on strategic Russian assets, Moscow is responding with devastating force against Ukraine’s cities and civilians.

With over 400 drones launched, strategic bombers destroyed, and growing international tension over inconsistent U.S. policies, the road to peace appears rockier than ever. The escalation around Kharkiv and Kyiv could mark a pivotal point in the war, testing the resolve of both nations and the world watching.

As President Zelenskyy put it bluntly: “If someone is not applying pressure and is giving the war more time to take lives – that is complicity and accountability. We must act decisively.”

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